Predicting Students' Performance in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations from Performance in the Junior Secondary Certificate Examinations in Ondo State, Nigeria

The predictive strength of the Junior Secondary Certificate (JSC) examinations in predicting the performance of students in the Senior Secondary Certificate (SSC) examinations in Ondo State, Nigeria was examined In this article. The study explored a correlation design. The study population comprised all the 257 secondary schools in the State. Out of this population, a sample of 206 schools was selected through the stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected through an inventory and analysed with the use of z- test, correlation analysis and multiple regression. The findings revealed that the JSC examinations were a good predictor of performance at SSC examination. Since the performance level was generally low in both examinations, it was recommended that the State government should intensify more efforts in ensuring better teaching and learning strategies in schools through effective supervision and monitoring of schools. African Journal of Educational Studies in Mathematics and Sciences Vol. 4 2006: pp. 41-5

Teachers' Teaching Experience and Students' Learning Outcomes in Secondary Schools in Ondo State, Nigeria

This article examined teachers' teaching experience and students' learning outcomes in the secondary schools in Ondo State Nigeria. As a correlational survey, the study population comprised all the 257 secondary schools that presented students for the year 2003 senior secondary certificate (SSC) examinations in the State. Out of the population, a sample of 180 schools was drawn through the process of stratified random sampling technique. An inventory and a semi-structured interview schedule were the instruments used to collect information for the study. The data collected were analysed using the chi square test, correlation analysis and t-test. The semi-structured interview was conducted with selected principals and education officers. Their responses were analysed through content analysis. The findings revealed that teachers' teaching experience was significant with student' learning outcomes as measured by their performance in the SSC examinations. Schools having more teachers with five years and above teaching experience achieved better results than schools having more teachers with less than five years teaching experience. Considering the findings, it was recommended that government should encourage experienced teachers to stay on the job through the provision of incentives such as better promotional prospects, better welfare package and better conditions of service. African Journal of Educational Studies in Mathematics and Sciences Vol. 3 2005: pp. 89-9

Influence of Teachers' Teaching Experience on Students' Learning Outcomes in Secondary Schools in Ondo State, Nigeria

This article examined teachers' teaching experience and students' learning outcomes in the secondary schools in Ondo State Nigeria. As a correlational survey, the study population comprised all the 257 secondary schools that presented students for the year 2003 senior secondary certificate (SSC) examinations in the State. Out of the population, a sample of 180 schools was drawn through the process of stratified random sampling technique. An inventory and a semi-structured interview schedule were the instruments used to collect information for the study. The data collected were analysed using the chi square test, correlation analysis and t-test. The semi-structured interview was conducted with selected principals and education officers. Their responses were analysed through content analysis. The findings revealed that teachers' teaching experience was significant with student' learning outcomes as measured by their performance in the SSC examinations. Schools having more teachers with five years and above teaching experience achieved better results than schools having more teachers with less than five years teaching experience. Considering the findings, it was recommended that government should encourage experienced teachers to stay on the job through the provision of incentives such as better promotional prospects, better welfare package and better conditions of service. African Journal of Educational Studies in Mathematics and Sciences Vol. 5 2007: pp. 9-1

Teacher Preparation and Availability for Achieving Basic Education in Ondo State, Nigeria

The study examined teacher preparation and availability for achieving basic education in Ondo State, Nigeria. As a descriptive survey, the study population comprised all the 1154 primary and 281 junior secondary schools in Ondo State, Nigeria. Out of this population, a sample of 578 primary schools and 141 junior secondary schools was taken and selected through the stratified random sampling technique. The instrument used to collect data for the study was an inventory while the data collected were analyzed using percentages. The findings revealed that the level of teacher preparation for the Universal Basic Education (UBE) in Ondo State, Nigeria was low. It was also found that teachers were not adequately available for the Universal Basic Education programme. On the basis of the findings, it was concluded that the Ondo State, Nigeria has not been fully prepared for the Universal Basic Education programme. Teacher preparation has not been fully embarked upon in the State. Considering the findings, it was recommended that the State Government should recruit more teachers into the primary and junior secondary schools in the State to enable the pupils achieve permanent literacy and numeracy and the ability to communicate effectively. Teachers should also be allowed to attend seminars and in-service training to enable them to acquire more skills and competence in their job performance. Keywords: Teacher, Preparation, Availability, Basic Education, Nigeria International Journal of Educational Research Vol. 3 (2) 2007 pp. 293-30

Adaptation of vulcanized rubber as pessaries for the treatment of uterovaginal prolapse in a resource-poor setting

No Abstract

Performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) Goats Fed Tridax and Siam Weed in Ficus Based Diets

Twelve West African dwarf goats weighing between 4.5kg to 5.5kg were used to study the effect replacement of Tridax and Siam weed in Ficus based diet. The goats were divided into three dietary treatments with attention to the body weights with four replicate per treatment. The diets were fed for a period of 25days in order to investigate the influence of the replaced forage mixture on feed intake and nutrient digestibility, also on the level of the serum metabolites as factor of influence. Goats maintained on Ficus-Tridax forage mixture consumed more dry matter than goats fed Ficus only and Ficus-Siam mixture. The average values were 186.57g/day for Ficus, 202.56g/day for Ficus-Tridax mixture, and 145.0g/day for Ficus-Siam mixture per goat. The nature of the feed influence the digestibilities of the nutrients, the relative values of which  were statistically (p<0.05) significant. The values of crude fiber digestibility in the treatment were not significantly different (p<0.05). The result of serum metabolites anaylsed showed no statistical difference (p<0.05), so all the forage feeds tested could cause no harm of significant measure to the animals, results of this study suggest that Tridax can be effectively used to feed small ruminant most especially the WAD goat and it serves as alternative browse plant for the scarce forages during the dry season

The Supply of Science Teachers to Secondary Schools in Ondo State, Nigeria: A Critical Analysis

This paper investigated the supply of science teachers to secondary schools in Ondo State, Nigeria. It was an ex-post facto and descriptive research. The study population comprised all the 281 secondary schools and 4 higher institutions in the State as well as 30 higher institutions from neighbouring States producing teachers for secondary schools. The sample in respect of secondary schools was identical with the population. Since only 2 out of the 4 higher institutions in the State produce teachers, the 2 higher institutions were selected for the study. Out of the 30 higher institutions in neighbouring States, 16 were selected thereby giving a total sample of 18 higher institutions. The method of selection was by multi-stage, purposeful and stratified random sampling. The instrument used was an inventory while the data collected were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. It was found that science teachers were in less proportion compared to non-science teachers in all the schools. Male science teachers were in greater numbers than female science teachers in the schools. The number of science teachers supplied from higher institutions outside the State was greater than the number supplied from higher institutions within the State The supply of science teachers did not match the demand for them in the schools. It was concluded that higher institutions in the State had not been supplying sufficient number of science teachers to the schools. It was then recommended that more efforts should be made by government to increase the supply of science teachers to schools.Keywords: supply of science teachers, demand for science teachers, enrolment growth rate

Mathematics as Language for Involving Secondary School Children in Science and Technology in Ondo State, Nigeria

This study examined Mathematics as Language for involving secondary schools Children in Science and Technology in Ondo State, Nigeria. As a correlational survey, it examined the relationship between Mathematics and other science subjects in schools' curriculum. The study population comprised all the 257 secondary schools that presented candidates for the 2003 Junior Secondary Certificate (JSC) and Senior Secondary Certificate (SSC) examinations in Ondo State Nigeria. The sample consisted of 180 schools selected from the population through stratified random sampling technique. The instrument used was an inventory while the data collected were analyzed with the use of percentages, t-test, correlation and multiple regression. The findings show that there was a significant correlation between JSC Mathematics and SSC Mathematic, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and agric science. The performance in SSC Mathematics also correlated significantly with the performance in SSC Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Agric science. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the Ondo State Government should intensify more efforts at promoting the teaching of Mathematics in secondary schools. This could be done by supplying more specialist teachers in Mathematics to all secondary schools in the State and organizing seminars and workshops on new strategies for the teaching and learning of Mathematics in secondary schools. Keywords: mathematics, bedrock, science, education, predictor, performance, mathematics across science curriculum, mathematics across technology curriculumMathematics Connection Vol. 6 2007: pp. 8-2

Variation In Surface Water Vapour Density Over Four Nigerian Stations

The surface water vapour density ρ has been studied using monthly averages of temperature and relative humidity at four selected weather stations in Nigeria for the years 1987 to 1991. It is found that during the dry season months of November to March, ρ is higher at night by an average of about 9.9% than during the day at Ikeja, Ibadan, and Ilorin whereas during the rainy season months of April to October, the daytime values of are higher in these stations. On the other hand, at Minna, at night is generally lower by an average of about 5% than daytime values during the two seasons of the year. Annual double peaks occur at Ikeja, Ibadan and Ilorin signifying respectively the beginning and the end of the rainy season in these stations. At Minna, a single maximum of about 20.89±0.3g/m3 prevails between May and September, while the minimum of about 6.8±1.3g/m3 occurs in January. Key words: Vapour density, intertropical discontinuity, dry season, rainy season, relative humidity Nig. J. of Pure & Appl. Physics Vol.3 2004: 38-4

Neuroprotective effect of olanzapine and fluoxetine in rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease in mice: role of antioxidant systems

Background: Depression may antedate motor manifestations of Parkinson's disease (PD) and is usually of moderate or mild intensity. Moreover, depression is of major impact on the quality of life in PD patients according to a recent survey. Conversely, drug-induced psychosis is one of the major therapeutic challenges in Parkinson's disease and may occur in up to 6% in otherwise uncomplicated de novo patients when first receiving dopaminergic therapy.Objective: This study sought to investigate the protective effect of olanzapine and fluoxetine when used alone or in combination against rotenone-induced Parkinsonism in mice.Methods: Olanzapine (1, 5, 10 mg/kg), fluoxetine (5, 10, 20 mg/kg) or sub-effective doses of olanzapine (1 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (5 mg/kg, respectively) were given to mice orally for 30 days. PD-like behaviour was induced with rotenone (2 mg/kg, i.p., in sunflower oil for 28 days from day 3). The effects on motor coordination were assessed using open field test (OFT), bar test and rotarod test while memory function was investigated using the elevated plus maze test (EPM). On day 28, animals were sacrificed for biochemical estimation of oxidative and nitrosative stress parameters in the brains.Results: Acute treatment with olanzapine (1, 5, 10 mg/kg) did not affect blood glucose level. However, coadministration of sub-effective doses of olanzapine (1 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (5 mg/kg) showed significant (P<0.01) increase in the level of blood glucose. Subchronic treatment of mice with olanzapine (1, 5 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10, 20 mg/kg) significantly attenuated rotenoneinduced catalepsy in mice similar to the effect of trihexyphenidyl (reference drug) between days 8 and 16. However, by day 24 of treatment, olanzapine (5, 10 mg/kg) showed a dose-dependent increase in rotenone-induced catalepsy but not fluoxetine or olanzapine-fluoxetine combination. In addition, rotenone induced significant (p<0.01) motor deficit which was reversed by olanzapine (1 mg/kg) but not 5 and 10 mg/kg treatment in OFT. Moreover, fluoxetine treatment enhanced ambulatory activity of the animals. However, pretreatment of mice with olanzapine (1, 5, 10 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (5, 10, 20 mg/kg) failed to prevent rotenone-induced memory deficit on days 9 and 10. In contrast, rotenone increased (P<0.001) brain malondialdehyde and nitrite generation with concomitant decrease in the level of reduced glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Conversely, olanzapine (1, 5 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10, 20 mg/kg) treatment significantly attenuated the effect of rotenone.Conclusion: These findings suggest that olanzapine and fluoxetine (alone or in combination) could protect against rotenone-induced motor deficit through enhancement of  brain antioxidant systems. Thus suggesting that olanzapine and fluoxetine could be used as adjuvants in the treatment of PD.Keywords: Rotenone; elevated plus maze; bar test; glutathione; malondialdehyd